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Chow Chows in Montreal, right now
We aren't tracking any adoptable Chow Chows in or near Montreal at the moment. Listings update regularly as Quebec rescues take in new dogs, and a Chow Chow in Montreal typically gets adopted within days of being posted. Browse the full Quebec dogs list to see Chow Chows in other Quebec cities, or save this page and check back soon.
Adopting a Chow Chow in Quebec
Chow Chows appear in Quebec rescue occasionally and wait longer than most. They are ancient northern spitz dogs, dignified and reserved, and they are frequently adopted on appearance by people expecting a teddy bear, which a Chow is emphatically not.
Reserved by design
Chows are aloof with strangers, independent, and often described as cat-like: they choose their people and are indifferent to everyone else. They are not demonstrative and many dislike being handled or hugged, including by their own family. That is normal breed behaviour rather than a sign of a badly treated dog, and it is the single most common mismatch in adoptions.
They can be territorial and same-sex conflict with other dogs is common, so early socialisation matters and the individual dog’s history matters more. Ask the rescue exactly what it has lived with. Training works with patience and respect; heavy correction produces a worse dog, and this is a breed with the size and conviction to make that a real problem.
Coat, eyes, and heat
The dense double coat handles a Quebec winter easily and makes summer difficult: Chows overheat readily and a humid July needs walks kept to the cool hours. Never shave the coat. It sheds heavily and blows out seasonally and needs brushing several times a week, more around the ruff.
The deep-set eyes and heavy facial skin predispose the breed to entropion, where the eyelid rolls inward and the lashes abrade the cornea. It is painful and usually needs surgery, so ask whether it has been assessed. Hip and elbow dysplasia are common, and the breed’s restricted field of vision from the deep-set eyes is part of why they dislike being approached suddenly.
What adopting a dog in Quebec actually involves
Quebec dog rescue runs through a handful of regional shelters rather than a dense network of breed-specific groups. The Montreal SPCA is the largest, and the SPA de la Mauricie in Trois-Rivières and the SPA de l’Estrie in Sherbrooke carry most of the rest. Expect the process to run primarily in French, including listings and application forms, even where staff are bilingual. Say at first contact if you would rather work in English, and ask for the adoption contract in a language you can read before signing.
Housing is the step rescues care most about. Most Quebec households rent, often in a plex or a walk-up, and the shortage of rentals that accept animals is one of the reasons shelters cite most often for surrender. Get your landlord’s permission in writing before you apply. One piece of local context worth knowing: since 2015, animals in Quebec are not property. Article 898.1 of the Code civil du Québec describes them as sentient beings with biological needs, which is the backdrop to how rescues here write their contracts.
Looking more broadly? Browse every adoptable dog across the province on Dog Adoption Quebec.
The rescues that most often list Chow Chows across Quebec are SPA de la Mauricie, SPA de l'Estrie, and SPCA Laurentides-Labelle. For breed-specific background, the Canadian Kennel Club is a useful reference.
Chow Chow Adoption FAQ — Montreal
How many Chow Chows are available for adoption in Montreal?
As of August 2026, there are no Chow Chows listed in Montreal rescue on LocalPetFinder right now — Chow Chows are among the rarer dogs in local rescue. Inventory turns over quickly, so setting an alert is the most reliable way to catch one, or consider an adoptable Chow Chow mix.
Where can I adopt a Chow Chow near me in Quebec?
LocalPetFinder gathers adoptable Chow Chows from the Quebec organizations we track, including the Montreal SPCA, the SPA de la Mauricie in Trois-Rivières and the SPA de l’Estrie in Sherbrooke, into one list. Quebec dog inventory is small compared with its cat inventory, so this list moves and it is worth checking back or setting an alert rather than assuming nothing is available.
Are Chow Chows aggressive?
They are reserved and independent rather than inherently aggressive, but the distinction matters less than the handling. Chows are aloof with strangers, dislike being approached suddenly, and many object to being handled or hugged even by their family. Adopters expecting an affectionate teddy bear are the most common source of trouble. Ask what the individual dog has lived with and respect what it tells you.
Do Chow Chows need a lot of grooming?
Yes. The dense double coat sheds heavily year-round and blows out seasonally, and it needs brushing several times a week, more around the ruff, to prevent matting. Never shave it, since it insulates against summer heat as well as winter cold. Grooming also matters for the skin folds and the eyes, which need checking as part of the same routine.
How much does it cost to adopt a Chow Chow in Montreal?
Adopting a Chow Chow in Montreal typically costs $300 to $700, and puppies usually carry a premium at $500 to $900. The exact fee varies by rescue, and older dogs are often reduced. That fee is not a purchase price. It covers work already done on the dog: spay or neuter, vaccinations, deworming, microchip, and a basic vet workup, which would cost several hundred dollars more if you arranged it yourself after buying. Buying the same breed from a registered breeder generally runs well over $1,000, usually with a waitlist. Ask the rescue what is included before you apply, since a few include extras like a starter bag of food or a first-month insurance trial.
Are these Chow Chows for sale in Montreal?
Not for sale, for adoption, which is usually the better deal. Every Chow Chow here comes from a Montreal-area rescue or shelter, not a breeder, pet store, or classified seller. Adoption fees are typically a few hundred dollars and already include spay or neuter, vaccinations, and a microchip, versus roughly $2,000 to $5,000+ to buy a Chow Chow from a breeder. If you searched "chow chow for sale Montreal," adopting gets you a healthy, vetted dog for a fraction of the price.
Where can I buy a Chow Chow in Montreal, and should I?
You can buy from a registered breeder, but it is worth weighing against adoption first. A reputable Chow Chow breeder typically charges $2,000 to $5,000+ and often has a waitlist, while a rescue Chow Chow costs a few hundred dollars fully vetted and may be available now. Be cautious of cheap "for sale" ads on classified sites and marketplaces, which are frequently backyard breeders or puppy-mill resellers with unvetted, sometimes sick animals and no health guarantee. If you do buy, insist on meeting the parents, seeing where the litter was raised, and getting vet records. For most Montreal families, adopting a rescue Chow Chow is cheaper, faster, and gives a dog in need a home.